TSMC sticking with Crolles2

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) said it will remain a member of the troubled Crolles2 Alliance—at least in the short term.

TSMC president Rick Tsai said last week that the company would stick to its near-term obligations as an associate member of the R&D and manufacturing alliance, based in Crolles, France. "This alliance will continue for a certain period of time and TSMC will continue to fulfill and participate in the alliance during this period of time," he said.

Tsai, however, did not directly answer questions of whether TSMC believed the alliance was a good long-term fit for the foundry. He only acknowledged that the company would be "a strong main partner and technology partner for all three companies" in the alliance.

Crolles2 is a high-profile alliance created in 2000 by STMicroelectronics Inc. and Philips Semiconductors (now NXP). Two years later, Freescale Semiconductors joined to collaborate on the research, development and industrialization of CMOS process technologies, beginning at 90 nanometers and ultimately attaining the 32nm node. Also that year, TSMC joined as an associate partner.

Earlier this month, the alliance began to unravel when NXP disclosed that it would not extend its participation beyond the term expiring at the end of 2007. Instead, NXP has decided to expand its ties with longtime foundry partner TSMC. Freescale also appears to be bailing out of the alliance.

- Mike Clendenin
EE Times